Apparatus for treatment of fabrics



Sept. 3, 1929. c. F. RYLEY 1,727,041

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF FABRICS Filed May 24. 1926 By his Attorneys Patented Sept. 3, 1929.v

UNITED STATESA 1,727,041 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FIELD RYLEY. F SPONDON, NEAR DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO CELA- NESE CORPORATION 0F AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF FABRICS.

Application led May 24, 1926, Serial No. 111,251, and in Great Britain June 27, 1925.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the treatment of woven or knitted fabrics, and especially fabrics consisting `wholly or partly of cellulose acetate yarns,

libres or filaments, for the purpose of removing size, oil or other dressings therefrom.

In the manufacture of woven or knitted fabrics, especially those consisting wholly or partly of cellulose acetate, the operation of removing size, oil or other dressings from the fabrics, which is usually required in preparation for dyeing or other treatments is a difficult matter, whether in the dyebaths or other baths. The removal takes a long time, and moreover many sizes and dressings are not completely removed in this way, so that for example level dyeing of the fabrics is very difficult, and even for white fabrics the result may not be satisfactory.

It has now been found that sizes, oil or other dressings can be readily and efficiently removed from the-fabrics by taking the fabric wound in a roll on a hollow perforated beam or pipe, and treating the rolled fabric thereon with a cleaning or scouring liquid caused to percolate outwards through the rolled fabric. l

Any suitable liquid maybe employed capable of dissolving or extracting the size, oil

o1' other dressing; especially liquids such as benzene, Xylene or other organic solvents may be used.

The liquid will be supplied to the perforated beam or pipe under any desired pressure. Conveniently only a low pressure is employed sufficient to overcome the resistance of the roll of fabric. v

Uniform distribution of the cleaning or scouring liquid to all parts of the wound fabric may be assisted by allowing the liquid issuing. through wall of the pipe or beam to pass first through a textile or other porous material before traversing the body of wound fabric to be cleaned or scoured.

lf desired, especially at the first stage or portion of the treatment, the wound fabric on the beam or pipe may be allowed to soak in the cleaning or scouring liquid Whichhas passed through it, before further cleaning or scouring liquid is passed through.

lThe perforated pipe or beam on which the fabric to be treated is to be wound is preferably covered with a porous material, for instance an absorbent or other textile material, which can act both as a filter for the cleaning or scouring liquid issuing through the holes or perforations, and also as a distributor to ensure uniform percolation of the liquid at all parts through the body of fabric wound on the )ipe or beam.

The pipe orlzeam is provided at one end, or it may be at both ends, with an inlet adapted for connection to the supply' of scouring or cleaning liquid. 'lhc fabric wound on the beam 0r pipe may be secured thereon by a spirally Wound binding or otherwise.

Means are preferably provided in connection with the pipe or beam, for closing the ends of the roll of fabric wound thereon and ensuring that all liquid issuing through the holes or perforations of the pipe or beam shall be obliged to pass through the roll of fabric; for example, I may employ on the pipe or beam flanges or collars adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric and one or bot-l1 of which is or are adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of fabric and held in position.

The beam or pipe carrying the roll of wound fabric is placed in a vessel; or a number of the pipes or beams may be placed in one vessel. Preferably the capacity of the vessel is such as only to leave a small space or clearance between its walls and the adjacent roll or rolls of Wound fabric.

The beam or pipe or beams or pipes may be removably mounted in any convenient way in the vessel, vertically, horizontally or inclined, but preferably vertically, and is or are arranged to be connected to a supply pipe or pipes communicating with the supply of scouring or cleaning liquid. When the liquid is turned on to the beam or pipe or beams or pipes carrying the rolled fabric, the liquid percolates through the rolled fabric thereon and may be run off from the vessel or con tainer continuously or otherwise as desired.

The following may be given as .an illustration of the invention, it being understood that it is given only by way of example and can be varied widely Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The fabric to be treated, for instance. a woven or knitted fabric composed of cellulose acetate yarn, is wound on a hollow perforated beam or pipe previously covered wit! an absorbent textile material or other porous material as before referred to, the beam or pipe having an inlet connection for the cleaningor scouring liquid at one end and being closed at the other. The ends of the roll of fabric wound on the hollow beam or pipe are closed by deep flanges or collars on the beam or pipe, one or both of said flangesbeing slidably mounted thereon and adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of 'fabric and to be heldin position. 'lhe roll of fabric wound on the beam or pipe is secured by a spirally wound binding or in other convenient way.

The beam or pipe wound with the fabric is placed and supported in a vessel, preferably in a' vertical position, the vessel being by preference. just sulliciently large to contain it, with only a small clearance space between the wall of the vessel and the periphery of the fabric roll.

The inlet of the beam or pipe having been connected with the supply of cleaning or scouring liquid, which ma v be benzene, xylene or any other suitable liquid capable of d issolving or extracting the size, oil or dressing to be removed. the cleaning or scouring liquid is turned on to the beam or pipe. 'lhe liquid may be supplied to the beam or pipeunder any desired pressure, but is preferably sup` plied under a low pressure, for instance of a slight static head, just about sufficient to overcome the resistance of the rolled fabric, as by thisl means short circuits of the liquid can be better avoided and the liquid better enabled to percolate equally to all parts of the roll of fabric. rThe liquid passing'through the roll of fabric issues into the vessel which is provided with an overflow or an outlet pipe fitted with a cock, or with any other suitable outlet. The liquid may be allowed to flow continuously through the roll and from the vessel until the size. oil or other dressing is removed. Preferably however, when a certain quantity of cleaning or scouring liquid has passed through and immersed the roll of fabric in the vessel, the supply is shut off by a valve or the like and the roll is allowed to stand for a time in the liquid to soften the size or dressing, after which the dirty cleaning liquid is run off; fresh cleaning liquid is then admitted to the beam or pipe, preferably at a very slow rate and allowed to overflow or run off from the vessel, and the operation is continued uninterruptedly or intermittently until the size, oil or dressing is completely removed from the fabric. The perforated beam or pipe can then be removed from the vessel and the fabric ma y be unrolled for further treatment if required.

By means of the inventionl size, oil or other dressings can be very completely removed from the fabrics without mechanicallydamaging them in any way.

If desired .the fabric may be dried partially or completely, while still on the perforated beam or pipe, bv blowing air through the same and through the roll of fabric thereon by means of a suitable arrangement of pipes, or by centrifugal action. Such drying may be effected in the same vessel as that in which the removal of the size or dressing is v performed, by providing this with the necespereolate through the roll of fabric. Such treatments may be effected in the Sallie vessel as that employed for the removal of the size or other dressings, or in separate vessels or apparatus if desired.

The aceon'ipanying drawing illustrates by way ot' example one form of apparatus for carrying out the invention, in which a perforated beam wound with a roll of the fabric, i

say cellulose acetate fabric, to be treated with cleaning or s-:couring liquid for removing size, oil or other dressing from the fabric, is placed in a containing vessel of such capacity as to leave. a small space between its Wall and the periphery of the fabric on the beam. The drawing shows the wound beam almost completely lowered into the vessel. The containing vessel is shown in vertical mid-section,

and the wound beam is shown half in elevation and half in vertical mid-section.

The hollow tubular shell 1 constituting the body of the beam is perforated with small holes all over the portion on which the fabric is wound, and has a closed end 1n at top (for example welded to it) which carries a screwtlireaded stem Ilb withv a nut lc thereon serving for turning the beam to couple it to the supply connection as mentioned below. Onv the body of the beam at the upper end a ring or colla-r 2 is riveted, andclose under this is a flange 3 brazed on the tubular shell l.

To the lower end of the tubular shell l of the beam a. cylindrical end piece 4t is fixed by riveting an upstanding lug` or shoulder thereof to the vbottom of the tubular shell. On the lower end of the tubular shell and butting on the shoulder 5 is brazed a deep flange 6. 7 is a deep flange sliding-ly mounted'on the tubular shell 1 of the beam and adapted to be pressed tightly on to the top 0f the roll of fabric wound on the bean'i, by means of.screjw bolts 8, 8 screwing through the top flange 2l, a soft pad of cotton or felt 9 being provided on the under side ofthe flange 7.

The end piece 4 is formedjwith a passage 10 opening into the interior of the shell 1 of the beam, the bottom of said passage being formed as a conical socket 10n adapted to be connected to a corresponding male emailing piece 1l fixed, for instance by brazing, on

the bottom plate of the containing vessel 12, and connected to an admission pipe 13 which passes through the bottom plate of the vessel and screws into the male coupling plece 11, the socket 101 and coupling piece 11 being adapted to engage together with a bayonet joint constituted by lateral slots 10b and an annular groove 10c formed m the wall of Ithe socket 10, and by lateral projections 11b formed on the member 11 and adapted to g1ve assage to the slots 10b in the descent of the eam, and to be engaged in the annular' groove 10e when the beam is given a partial turn. The admission pipe 13' lis connected by a branch piece 14 to pipes 15 and 16 leading respectively to a supply of scouring liquid and a compressed air supply, and controlled respectively by cocks 17 and 18.

The vessel is fitted with a run-off pipe 19 controlled by a'cock 20 and with an overflow pipe 21 controlled by a cock 22.

A Afew layers of absorbent cotton-23 are wound on to the tubular shell 1 over the perforated portion; the fabric 24 to be secured is then Wound evenly on this, care bein taken to keep the edges as level as possible, to facilitate making a tight joint with the flanges 5 and 7. The flange 7 with its pad i) is then pressed tightly against the rolled fabric by turning the screw bolts 8. A spiral binding of thin fabric 25 is then wound tightly on the roll of fabric and the beam is lowered into the vessel 12 and connected to the coupling piece 11 by the engagement of the socket portion 10a of the passage 10 therewith and by partly turning the beam by means of the nut 1c so as to engage the bayonet joint of the coupling. The interior of the tubular shell 1 is thus connected with the admission pipe .13. t

The vessel is now filled with the scouring liquid (e. g. benzene, Xylene or other organic solvent of the size, oil or other dressing to be removed from the fabric) by opening the cock 17, the scouring liquid passing up through the shell 1 of the beam and percolating through the perforati'ons thereof, through the layers of absorbent cotton fabric 23 and through the roll of fabric 24 to be treated and the outer spiral binding 25. When the vessel is filled, the supply of scouring liquid is shut ofi' and the liquid is allowed to remain until such time as the size or dressing has been found by experience tol be dissolved` after which the scouring liquid is drained olin by the cock 20. Fresli scouring liquid is now turned on by the cock 17 under slight pressure about suflicient to overcome the resistance of the fabric, and is allowed to percolate slowly through the roll of fabric, rise in the vessel and overflow by the pipe 21, the cock 22 being Opened. The percolation'is allowed to continue with overflow at the pipe 21 until the outgoing liquor is practically ,free from `the size, oil or other dressing; they supply of liquid is then cut ofi' and the vessel again drained b opening the cock 20. After draining t e vessel, the fabric may be dried by blowing compressed air through the beam by turning on the cock 18 of the compressed alr supply pipe 16. When the fabric is dry the beam may be disconnected from the coupling and lifted out of the vessel, and the fabric be unwound for dyeing or other treatment as required.

If desired, the roll of fabric on the beam, before the drying in the vessel as mentioned, may be treated with soap solution in an exactly similar manner to that employed for the scouring liquid, by providing a suitable cockcontrolled supply pipe, (not shown) connected to the admission pipe 13 and another cockcontrolled overflow similar to that shown in the drawing.

The invention permits of cheaply and rapidly eliminating weaving or other sizes or dressings from fabrics and especially fabrics consisting wholly or partly of cellulose acetate.

WV hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:- i

1. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be treated is wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member having an inlet for adnlitting scouring liquid to its interior; and flanges on the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of fabric and held in position, and a pad of soft material interposed between the adjustable flange and the end of the fabric roll.

2. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a hollow perforated Cylidrical member on which the fabric to be treated is wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member having an inlet for admitting the scouring liquid to its interior; a layer of porous material closely surrounding the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to assist uniform distribution ofthe scouring liquid to the roll of fabric; and flanges on the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of fabric and held in position.

8. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a hollow perforated `cylindrical member on which the fabric to be treatedis Wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member having an inlet for admitting the scouring liquid to its interior; flanges on the perforated cylOl lindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges beine` slidable on the cyl1ndr1- cal member and adiipted to be pressed end- Wise against the roll of fabiic and held 1n position; a pad of soft material interposed etween the adjustable flange and the end of the fabric roll; a containing vessel having a supply conduit for the scouring liquid and overflow means for the spent liquid; and means for detachably connecting the 1nlet of the perforated cylindrical member to the supply conduit when the cylindrical member is placed in position in the containing vessel. y

4. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be trated is wound in the form of a roll, sai-d hollow perforated cylindrical member having an inlet for admitting scouring l1qu1d to its interior; a layer of porous material closely surrounding the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to assist uniform distribution of the scouring liquid to the roll of fabric; flanges 011 the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed en dwise against the roll of fabric and held in position; a containing vessel having a supply conduit for the scouring liquid; and means for detachably connecting the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member to the supply conduit when the cylindrical member is placed in position in the containing vessel.

5. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a containing vessel; a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be `treated is wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member being closed at its upper end and having an inlet for scouring liquid at its lower end, and adapted to be arranged vertically in the containing vessel; flanges on the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of fabric and held in position; a pad of soft material interposed between the adjustable flange and the end of the fabric roll; a supply conduit for the scouring liquid and overflow means for spent liquid; and means for detachably connecting the inlet of the perforated eylindrical member to the supply conduit when the cylindrical member is placed vertically in position in the vessel.

6. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be treated is wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member having an inlet for admitting scouring liquid to its interior' flanges on the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to close the ends of the roll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed endwise against theroll of fabric and held in position; a pad of soft material interposed between the adjustable flange and the end of the fabric roll; a containing vessel having a supply conduit for the scouring liquid and overow means for the spent liquid; means for detachably connecting the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member to the supply conduit when the cylindrical member is placed in position in the containing vessel; and a compressed air pipe adapted to be. put into and out of communication with the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member While this is in position in the vessel, forthe purpose of blowing air through the roll of fabric.

7. Apparatus for removing dressings from fabrics, comprising a containing vessel; a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be treated is Wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member being closed at its upper end and having an inlet for scouring liquid at its lower end, and adapted to be arranged vertically in the containing vessel; flanges on the perforated cylindrical'member and adapted to close the ends of thenroll of fabric thereon, at least one of said flanges being slidable on the cylindrical member and adapted to be pressed endwise against the roll of fabric and held in position; a pad of soft material interposed between the adjustable flange and the end of the fabric roll; a supplyvconduit for the scouring liquid and an overflow pipe for the spent liquid; means for detachably connecting the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member to the Isupply conduit when the cylindrical member is placed vertically in position in the containing vessel means for controlling the liquid supply to the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member; and a compressed air pipe adapted to be put into and out of communication withthe inlet of the perforated cylindrical member While this is in position in the vessel, for the purpose of blowing air through the roll of fabric.

8. Apparatus for removing dressings fromfabrics, comprising a containing vessel; a hollow perforated cylindrical member on which the fabric to be treated is wound in the form of a roll, said hollow perforated cylindrical member being closed at its upper end and having an inlet for scouring liquid at its lower end and adapted to be arranged vertically in the containing vessel; a layer of porous material closely surrounding the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to assist uniform distribution of the scourlng liquid to the roll of fabric; flanges on the perforated cylindrical member and adapted to 5 position; a supply conduit for the scouring liquid; means for detachably connecting the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member to the supply conduit When the cylindrical member is placed vertically in'position in the 10 vessel; means for controlling the liquid supply to the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member; and a compressed air pipe adapted to be put into and out of communication with the inlet of the perforated cylindrical member While this is in position in the vessel, for the purpose of blowing air through the roll of fabric.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES FIELD RYLEY. 

